The 5th Meeting of the Global Ocean Commission (GOC 5) met to discuss the outcome of the GOC report, ‘From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean.' Twelve high-level Commissioners, including former Heads of State, and ministers and leaders in the private sector and of international organizations, met on 17 May 2015 in New York, US, to: update Commissioners on progress and developments since the report's release; solicit input into the proposed strategy contained in the report; and discuss ways by which a Global Ocean Accountability Board (GOAB – working title) could be established and managed once the Commission ceases to exist at the end of 2015.
18 May 2015: The 5th Meeting of the Global Ocean Commission (GOC 5) discussed the outcome of the GOC report, titled ‘From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean.’ Twelve high-level Commissioners, including former Heads of State, and ministers and leaders in the private sector and of international organizations, met on 17 May 2015 in New York, US, to: update Commissioners on progress and developments since the report’s release; solicit input into the proposed strategy contained in the report; and discuss ways by which a Global Ocean Accountability Board (GOAB – working title) could be established and managed once the Commission ceases to exist at the end of 2015.
A high-level working lunch also took place with the Group of Friends of Ocean and Seas (GoFOS), which was established at the beginning of 2015 to help ensure the integrity of delivery of all aspects of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on oceans, seas and marine resources.
Presenting on progress made, GOC Executive Secretary Simon Reddy highlighted support received, including media coverage consisting of, inter alia, over 30 million social media impressions, as well as delivery of a global petition with over 288,000 signatures to the UN, calling for a new international agreement to protect the high seas.
During a working session on the ‘Phase Two Work Plan,’ GOC Deputy Executive Secretary Rémi Parmentier presented the ‘Report on the Implementation of the GOC’s Phase Two Work Plan,’ outlining actions Commissioners could take on the eight proposals contained in the GOC report: SDG 14; high seas governance; fisheries subsidies; illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; plastics; offshore oil and gas; the GOAB; and the high seas regeneration zone.
In a working session on operationalizing the GOAB, Kelly Rigg, the Varda Group, presented a scoping paper, titled ‘Operationalizing the Proposal to Create a GOAB,’ highlighting that the proposal extends the original five-year timeframe to 15 years to keep in line with the SDGs and post-2015 development agenda process.
A third working session addressed climate ocean opportunities and threats and the role of the GOC, during which Teresa Ribera, Director, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, presented on links between oceans and climate change. She proposed an ocean and climate declaration that, while not formally linked to the climate negotiations, could increase the ocean community’s visibility during the Paris conference in December 2015. She also suggested building an “Ocean and Climate Club” that could be mobilized beyond 2015.
The GOC, launched in February 2013, is an independent commission addressing major threats facing the ocean, and originated as an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts, in partnership with others. The Commission’s objective is to make recommendations regarding: overfishing; large-scale habitat and biodiversity loss; effective management and enforcement; and high-seas governance. It also focuses on: examining key threats, challenges and changes to the ocean and identifying priority issues; reviewing the effectiveness of the existing legal framework for the high seas; and engaging with interested parties around the world. [GOC Website] [Publication: From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean][GOC News] [IISD RS Coverage of GOC 5]